At the Capitol: President Obama not 'present' on U.S. finances

I’ve always bitten my lip, but enough is enough. “Their basic view is nothing is important enough to raise taxes on rich individuals or corporations and that’s what binds them together.” That comment was made by someone who sees himself as “the great unifier.” You got it — Presiden...

By Jim Sacia

Journal Standard

By Jim Sacia

Posted Mar. 8, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Mar 8, 2013 at 7:23 AM

By Jim Sacia

Posted Mar. 8, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Mar 8, 2013 at 7:23 AM

I’ve always bitten my lip, but enough is enough. “Their basic view is nothing is important enough to raise taxes on rich individuals or corporations and that’s what binds them together.” That comment was made by someone who sees himself as “the great unifier.” You got it — President Barack Obama. He mad it on the AL Sharpton Radio Show as a call in on Feb. 21, referring to Republicans.

No, I don’t listen to the Al Sharpton Show, but the comment made the circuit immediately. Yes, I am among the many who are totally repulsed by it.

I know the president personally from having worked with him when he was an Illinois state senator. No, I’m not on his speed dial and I doubt he remembers me. What I remember about him was his 129 “present” votes which his friends in the media assured the nation, “Oh, that’s what they do in Illinois.” Are you kidding me? In 10 plus years I don’t have five present votes.

My good friend and your state treasurer, Dan Rutherford, refers to the present button on our voting panel as the “chicken” button. Let’s see ... I don’t want to anger those in favor of the bill and I don’t want to anger those opposed, I’ll just vote present. I think Dan sums it up quite well.

The point is if you are the chief executive of this great nation, wouldn’t you want to be working on bringing all of us together, not taking cheap shots while stepping off the golf course with Tiger Woods to make your phone-in campaign speech?

All of this was just two days after he spent 12 minutes slamming the opposition on how horrific, no apocalyptic, the sequester would be if “they” allowed it to happen.

Oh, it was scary. Meat would not be inspected, air traffic would be in shambles, border agents would not be able to do their jobs. My God, the world would be on the verge of collapse — all of this from a president who has increased the national debt by more than $6 trillion since his first election in 2008. That is a full one-third of our national debt. It can’t adequately sink in because none of us can get our arms around such an unbelievable financial number.

Former mayor of New York Rudy Giuliani put it best by stating he (Barack Obama) is fiscally the least disciplined president in history.

Well, sequester has kicked in. WOW, finally some restraint in spending. The experts tell us what it means is a cut of 2.4 percent. I think most of us could get by on about 97½ cents compared to $1 if that helps steer us to financial soundness. The stock market has shot into record territory. Coincidence? Perhaps! There is an old military saying that has never left me, “Either lead, follow, or get out of the way.” We have four more years, Mr. President. We prefer that you lead.

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Jim Sacia is the 89th District state representative. You can reach him, Sally or Barb at 815/232-0774 or e-mail them at jimsacia@aeroinc.net. You can also visit Sacia’s website at www.jimsacia.com.